SELECTMEN’S MEETING AGENDA
October 26, 2005
Call to Order
Chairman Harding called the meeting to order at 6:07pm. In attendance were Selectman John P. Ulcickas, Selectman Gary F. Nelson, Chairman Norman P. Harding and Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Mary B. Winglass.
Time Line for the 2006 Town Meeting
The Board reviewed two options for the printing of the 2006 Town Report. Per state law, the Town Report must be available seven (7) days prior to the Second Session (Town Meeting).
The first option is to continue what has been done in the past which is to print the Town Report and have it mailed to the residents prior to the First Session (Deliberative Session). TA, Nancy Wrigley discussed the tremendous strain in preparing the year-end reports within the first two weeks of January in order to get the report to the printers and then back before the Deliberative Session. The town has been mailing it to each homestead in town and adds to the cost each year. A good number of the residents who have mailboxes at the Post Offices in town, leave their Town Report at the Post Office and the town picks them up and brings them back to the Town Hall. We end up with so many unwanted books that it seems wasteful to print so many.
The second option is to follow the state law and have it available to the residents seven (7) days prior to the 2006 Town Meeting. This would allow time for everyone involved to prepare the year-end reports by the beginning of February. The Board discussed that the state law requires that we have the Town Report available to the residents seven (7) days prior to the Second Session (Voting Day), the Annual Town Meeting, then we should follow the law and we now have the option of putting it on the official town website. This would allow residents to view it at home and the town could save money on mailing the Town Report to all the homesteads in town. The Board concluded that this is the best option and we need to publish it throughout the town to let all the residents know that we will not be mailing the Town Report
this year. The Town Report will be available at the Town Hall seven days prior to the Annual Town Meeting and on the town website.
2006 Preliminary budget review
Solid Waste Disposal
Transfer Station Manager, Roger Clark was present and discussed the 2006 proposed budget with the Board. The Board discussed the Household Hazardous Waste line item and Roger discussed the need to participate in the County program. TA, Nancy Wrigley responded that we have participated in the past, spent the money and had volunteers work the day, to only have a few residents show up. The program requires a lot of work and Newton would be required to host the program in town, which would be difficult due to the location of the Transfer Station. The Board decided to leave the funds in this line item in case we have a need for a hazardous waste cleanup within town.
The Board discussed the site monitoring line item and the yearly contract with R.W. Gillespie & Associates. The contract started in July 2005 and ends in June 2006. The Board stated that we need to watch this budget at the end of this year in order to encumber funds if necessary. The Board decided to leave the total budget as is for now at $344,346, which is an increase over last year’s budget of $11,100.
General Assistance
The Board reviewed the General Assistance 2006 proposed budget of $20,990, which is an increase of $2,100 over last year’s budget. TA, Nancy Wrigley stated that she worked with Welfare Agent, Connie Smith on this budget and the increase is due mainly due to fuel assistance and rent/mortgage assistance. The Board decided to leave the budget as is for now.
Recreation Commission
The Board had questions regarding the 2006 proposed budget and asked that a representative from the Recreation Commission attend the next budget meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 3rd.
Gale Library
The Board reviewed the Gale Library 2006 proposed budget of $92,238, which is an increase of $3,183 over last year’s budget. The Board questioned the salaries line item and whether this included applicable state and federal employment taxes. The Board requested a copy of the breakdown from Payroll Administrator, Kim Hughes.
Dragon Mosquito Control
The Board reviewed the 2006 contract proposal from Dragon Mosquito Control, Inc. to include special permit application, arbovirus surveillance, larvidiciding, spot adulticiding (spraying) and source reduction control methods for a total cost of services at $25,000. The Board decided to include in the budget an additional $10,000 in case there is a need for any additional spraying next year. Chairman Harding signed the contract on behalf of the Board of Selectmen.
Selectman Nelson motioned to accept the 2006 Dragon Mosquito Control contract to include larvidicing, surveillance and spot adulticiding in the amount of $25,000. Second by Chairman Harding. Vote: Unanimous.
Conservation Commission
The Board reviewed the Conservation Commission 2006 budget of $3,250, which is an increase of $25 over last year’s budget. Selectman Ulcickas discussed the need to keep the salary expense the same as last year for they are looking to hire a Secretary and the increase to the trail maintenance line item is for any maintenance necessary due to beaver dams.
Selectman Ulcickas motioned to accept the Conservation Commission budget in the amount of $3,250. Second by Selectman Nelson. Vote: Unanimous.
MS-1
The Board signed the MS-1, NH Dept. of Revenue Administration Summary Inventory of Valuation for 2005, which provides for certification of valuations, appropriations, estimated revenue and exemptions for 2005. The Net Valuation without utilities on which the tax rate is set is $496,059,106.
Adjourn
The Board decided to hold another budget meeting next week on Thursday, November 3, 2005 at 6pm and to invite the Police Chief, Fire Chief and a representative from the Recreation Commission to the meeting in order to discuss their budgets.
Selectman Nelson motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:20pm. Second by Chairman Harding. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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